AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB)- It’ll be used to teach the scientists of the future.

“This is a game changer” said Erie Community College’s Chairman of the Board, Steve Boyd, as he announced plans to break ground in May for a new building off Youngs Road to house the College’s STEM program. It stands for Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics courses that will prepare students to work at places like Solar City or any of the many businesses sprouting up in Buffalo’s medical corridor.

Biology Professor Maryanne Silsby is looking forward to the extra space. “We can offer courses we’ve never had before. we won’t turn students away, and we’re gonna keep the tuition down for students.”

ECC’s Vice President for Academics, Rich Washousky says it gives the College an opportunity to integrate a lot of curriculum together. “Nursing with the biology department, physics with nano technology, chemistry with engineering science. We’ve never had those opportunities before.”

It’s slated to open by the fall of 2017, according to Boyd. “This is a great jumping off spot for people in Western New York that want to earn good jobs and want to stay home. People will start here and go here and go to work and people will start here and go to higher paying jobs after further education.”

Half of the thirty million dollars will be paid by the State, and the other half will be split between ECC and Erie County.

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